Berks Humane Society joins forces with Lancaster

The Humane Society of Berks County announced its proposed merger with the Humane League of Lancaster County to provide pets and caretakers in both counties with strong adoption, veterinary and charitable programs.

The two agencies will unite to create the regional animal welfare organization Humane Pennsylvania, which will place both agencies under the leadership of one president and volunteer board of directors.

Humane Pennsylvania will continue to provide services as the Berks Humane Society and the Humane League of Lancaster, which will be tailored to the needs of their individual communities.

Current Berks Humane Society Executive Director Karel Minor will oversee the missions of both groups as President and CEO of Humane Pennsylvania.

Advertisement

Joan Brown, President and CEO of the Humane League of Lancaster, sees the consolidation as an important accomplishment before her scheduled retirement in 2014.

“I am so pleased to be leaving this organization in such capable hands as I move into retirement,” said Brown. “I have known and respected Karel for many years and feel totally confident in his ability to lead our shelter into a strong future.”

Brown has led the Humane League since 2005, implementing key programs like low cost spay and neuter surgeries, a regular public wellness clinic and most recently overseeing the group’s transition to a No-Kill facility.

Minor, who has served as Executive Director of the Humane Society since 2004, says that the merger makes sense for the organizations, their personnel, and the communities they serve.

“The Humane Society and Humane League have many of the same goals – pet adoption, quality veterinary care, support for pets and people in need – and Humane Pennsylvania will combine our strengths, our experience and our resources to enable us to do even more good throughout Central and Southeastern Pennsylvania.”

Minor brings experience in regional animal welfare operations to the new organization after transforming the Humane Society from a single urbanshelter into a progressive, multi-facility agency with a focus on adoption, veterinary and service programs that reduce shelter populations and positively impact communities. The Humane Society’s fourth center opens this month in Phoenixville, and the Society’s management services arm continues to assist the Humane Society of Lebanon County in its own transformation.

The Humane Society serves all of Southeastern Pennsylvania and surrounding regions. It is a private, non-profit organization funded through donations and service fees. In addition to pet adoptions, The Humane Society provides full-spectrum veterinary services to the public; low-cost sterilization and vaccination; humane education; expert support to law enforcement in cases of animal cruelty and a host of charitable programs for pets and caretakers in need. The Humane Society has four animal welfare centers located at 1801 N. 11th Street, Reading; 1201 Ben Franklin Highway E., Douglassville; 503 S. Center Road (Rte. 82), Birdsboro and 12 S. Main St in Phoenixville. Learn more about the organization and its services at humanepa.org.